connecting spaces

Design Notes

Connecting Spaces With Character

Connection has become a priority in the home over the last couple of years. It can be considered the most basic function of the home, as this is where we gather with family and friends to celebrate, congratulate, and comfort one another. Designing with socializing opportunities has been at the forefront of design for decades, exemplified by spaces such as sitting rooms and large dining tables. This need for connection has made a strong comeback, and designers are once again looking for ways to bring families together. We want to have a home where we can relax and easily engage with one another, but many homeowners also desire spaces that are unified while still retaining a unique character of their own. Let’s talk about how to create a home with connecting spaces.

Plan With Connection

To design with connection takes intention; it means having a plan in place when renovating or redoing your home. When looking to format a plan for creating a unified look, keep these things in mind:

  • Somewhere to sit
  • Remove distractions
  • Strategic placement of furniture
  • Good lighting

It is essential to prepare the room for connection, ensuring there are ample seating areas available. When we take a seat, it gives us a place to rest and focus on what’s around us, but having enough seats is not enough. There needs to be a strategic placement of the seating, in fact, all of the furniture. Don’t place pieces where they block each other or interrupt the flow of the room. Let the couch face the oversized chair with a table in between to allow for beverages to be set down. Ensure that there is sufficient lighting, just enough to see, but not so much that it overpowers. Consider different levels as well; a light that shines into someone’s eye can quickly dampen their mood. Limiting distractions is another key element to the design phase. If there is a TV in the living room, you can opt to have it placed inside a cabinet so that it can be closed when company comes. Connecting with our families and guests matters, and your design can assist or hinder it.

Connect The Spaces

Once you have considered the concept of connecting your spaces through design, it is time to implement it in the actual project. Building a connection among areas in the home takes thought. Consider how they relate to each other and whether sight lines are present between the rooms. It is essential to consider these factors because they will help create a cohesive design in the home, resulting in a comfortable environment. Some ways to bring a united sense through design include:

  • Color
  • Furniture style
  • Light
  • Design style

Choosing to connect with color is a key component when planning a design. Color is an easy way to bring spaces together and can be done in multiple ways. From accent pillows, artwork, and furniture, you can carry a color theme throughout your home. This tool is often seen in coastal homes, as they typically feature a beach color theme throughout every area. It is not necessary to go all out; simple uses are all that is needed to achieve a connection. Light is another asset that can be used by selecting similar fixture frames or using the same finish, such as brass or nickel. Some companies offer lights that vary in size but share a similar style. Furniture is a great way to tie rooms together, such as through a shared material or pattern. You can opt to have pieces that are wicker, antique, or similar in design style. All of this brings cohesion to multiple areas in the home and can make it feel as if everything belongs together. Give some thought to your overall design style as well; this can have a strong influence on the connection in the home. Farmhouse, contemporary, or traditional homes have unique elements that are characteristic of them and can be incorporated throughout the home itself. Be sure to give this part of the design phase ample consideration, as it carries significant weight and has the greatest impact. It is helpful to have a plan in place, but you also need to know how to execute it effectively. This is also a benefit to your designer as they try to assist you in creating a home that feels like it was meant for you.

Incorporate The Character

Connection is what we crave most in our home, but that does not mean there is no room for a unique flair of character. In fact, this is how we create our own stamp and put our personality into the home. It is possible to design a cohesive home that is also peppered with character representative of your personality. Consider something that matters to you and incorporate it into the design. Have a special photo? Maybe a favorite color or pattern? What about a furniture piece that means a lot to you? All of these elements can be seamlessly integrated into your design scheme without disrupting the overall plan. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to this. Character adds visual interest and a personal touch to the design that would be missing. A designer can be of great value when trying to decide how best to fuse the things you love into your overall design. Including character with connection means a home that is a true reflection of you and what matters.

Bringing It All Together

Connection brings harmony, something that homeowners seek, and can create the perfect atmosphere for everyone. It should not be so obvious to your guests, but it smoothly glides from room to room around your home. Including a splash of character in each area ensures that there is enough fun to go around. It can also add a whole new dimension as you introduce a few select elements into each area, making everyone feel more at ease. Designing a unified home layout provides stability, while the character allows you to stand out just enough to be comfortable. Our design team has helped numerous clients find the perfect balance of connection and character that is just right for their home. Serving more than 15 counties across two states and continually expanding, we can help you design a home that is perfect for you and your family.

Organization is a key part of a successful life. You make a plan, you know what you need, and how you will accomplish your goals. This strategy requires you to lay everything out so you can be prepared, which is why people love apps that help them stay on track or write it down in an old-fashioned paper planner.  An organization can also infiltrate multiple areas of life, such as time management and home layout, meaning it has made its presence known in the design world. More and more designers are seeking ways to integrate organization into their designs, to the extent that a new term has been coined to describe this approach: organizeology. Let’s unpack what organizeology means!

If you are looking to hit the refresh button on your home, color is always a great way to start. From simple accent pieces, such as pillows and rugs, to repainting an entire room, choosing a new color can inspire you and help you regain your focus. The color of the year for 2022 are a wonderful place to start and can guide you down the right path for your home. Come visit our showroom in Uptown Shelby, NC, where you can walk through our 5,000-square-foot space and experience the possibilities for your home.

Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design; it significantly influences the mood in the home and alleviates eye strain when there is minimal natural light or when it gets dark. More often than not, a home suffers from insufficient lighting instead of overillumination. For seniors, lighting is even more critical, as the muscles in the eye weaken over time and the pupil size decreases, making it harder for light to enter. Better lighting reduces the chance of bumping or falling over an obstacle and lessens the strain on the eyes as you look around. Good lighting also helps create a comfortable and relaxing environment, exactly what you want for your well-deserved retirement. Let’s talk about how you can have the best lighting, what the benefits are, and which lighting choices are best for certain areas in the home.

Color matters. It is a part of how we tell our story, especially within our homes. In the last few years, homeowners have ventured off the traditional path of neutrals, such as white, gray, and beige, to bring in pops of bold hues like red, green, and even blue. As the demand for brighter colors increases, both manufacturers and designers have risen to the occasion by creating and incorporating a more diverse color palette for their clients. Traditional products, such as tile, furniture, flooring, cabinets, and even glass, come in a wider selection of bold colors, which provide homeowners with the opportunity to blend a variety of bold colors and neutral colors together in a stunning final design. Although color is a fun element in the world of interiors, it can be challenging to determine the right amount and the various ways it can be incorporated into the home to create the perfect balance for everyone to enjoy.

Home is a reflection of you, and one of the best ways to do that is through color. Color is more than a collection of tints and shades; it has more impact on our mood than anything else and can influence the look of our home more than we realize. Color psychology has been studied for decades, with recent findings revealing just how powerful color truly is in the home. Size and style can change by simply selecting different colors for your furniture, accent pieces, or wall color. As color plays such a vital role in the atmosphere and presentation of the home, it can feel a little overwhelming or even intimidating to make color choices. We have compiled a list of 15 simple ways you can add color to your home.